P o l a r i s (a tragedy expansion pack) 
by Charles Green
Directed by Erica Vannon
University of Iowa New Play Festival 2019
May 2019

Dramaturgy by Molly Winstead
Scenic Design by Courtney Gaston
Light Design by Nicholas Coso
Costume Design by Aella Rose-Hill
Sound Design by Huda T. Alathain
Stage Manager Brillian Qi-Bell
Assistant Stage Manager Jeni Tucker

Starring: Ben Sulzberger, Elijah Jones, Cora Lassen, and Lucan Botsford
Photo by Eric Stone
The Maids
by Jean Genet
in a new version by Benedict Andrews & Andrew Upton
Directed by Erica Vannon
University of Iowa Gallery Series
February 2019

Dramaturgy by Molly Winstead
Light Design by KimberlyFain
Costume Design by Aella Rose-Hill
Sound Design by Colten Langfitt
Stage Manager and Props Design by Spencer Clouse

Starring Britny Horton as Solange, Victoria McFadden as Claire, and Cora Lassen as Mistress
Photos by Eric Stone
You Must Wear a Hat
by Courtney Meaker
Directed by Erica Vannon
University of Iowa Workshop Series
​December 2018

Light Design by Emily Haywood
Puppet Design by Chelsea June
Sound Design: Colten Langfitt
Stage Manager: Kierra Walker

Starring: Cristina Ranslem as Tuesday, Ariana Smith as Weeks, and Dakota Parobek as Rabbit
Photos by Brett Stone
Love Bird 
by K.T. Peterson
Directed by Erica Vannon
Dramaturgy: Morgan Grambo
University of Iowa Gallery Series
​October 2019

Set & Props Design: Jacob Sikorski
Lighting Design: Dante Benjegerdes
Costume Design: Zamora Simmons
Sound Design: Harry Daley-Young
Stage Manager: Paige German

Starring: Michael Juarez as Nigel and Octavius Lanier as Norman
Photos by Katie Goodale, Daily Iowan and Ryan McElroy
Shoe 
by Marisela Treviño Orta 
Directed by Erica Vannon
University of Iowa New Play Festival 2018
​May 2018

Set & Props Design: Lindsey Kuhn
Light Design: Courtney Gaston
Costume Design: Zamora Simmons
Sound Design: Wade Hampton
Stage Manager: Adam Koob
Asst. Stage Manager: Paige German

Starring: Cristina Goyeneche, Cristina Ranslem, Yannik Encarnação, Ethan Jones, Ana Merino, Elyse Fisher 
​Photos by Ted Charles Brown
Twilight Bowl
​by Rebecca Gilman
Directed by Erica Vannon
University of Iowa, Gallery Series, part of The Big Ten Theatre Consortium
October 2018

Dramaturgy: Morgan Gambo
Set & Props Design: Clarice Kelling
Light Design: Ted Charles Brown
Sound Design: Bri Atwood
Costume Design: Loyce Arthur
Stage Manager: Lindsay Warnick
Asst. Stage Manager: Brillian Qi-Bell

Starring, Rachel Sather, Rachel Wade, Emmy Palmersheim, Stephanie Stewart, Jenna Smithson, Gracey Murphy
Photos by Ted Charles Brown
The Tempest
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Erica Vannon
at Governors State University  in the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park
April 2017

Music Direction by Joshua Dumas
Costume Design by Katherine Pavolvna Goldberg          
Props Design by Stacey Coleman
Production Manager: Michelle Medvin
Stage Managers: Nicole Ames and Sarah Gutierrez

Starring: Kayla Liggins, Maya Shelton, Nekia Driver, Jessie Cordell, Therese Caldwell, Hayley Zarifis, Melissa Downs, Thomas Fagan, Semaj Darby, Dante Silguero, Lance Williams, Lynne Clatyon, Simone Thomas,  and Paris Maxwell
Photos by Patrick Santoro and Erica Vannon
Gender Breakdown
by Dani Bryant at Collaboraction
Directed by Erica Vannon
                                                                
Assistant Director: Patrice Foster                                     Lighting Designer and Master Electrician: Carly Walker
Producer: Sarah Moeller                                                          Production Manager: Kelly Butler
Stage Manager: Caitlin Body                                                 Props Designer: Ellie Terrell
Asst. Stage Manager: Brittany T. Jasper                          Dramaturg: Kate Hawbaker-Krohn
Technical Director: Becca Venable                                     Theater Data Researcher: Kay Kron
Set Designer: Sarah JHP Watkins                                        Assistant Researcher: Mariah Schultz
Sound Designer: Karli Blalock
Costume Designer: Katherine Pavolvna Goldberg 

Cast: Brianna Buckley, Jazmin Corona, Kamille Dawkins, Rula Gardenier, Kate Hawbaker-Krohn, Priya Mohanty, Siobhan Marguerite Reddy-Best, Carolyn Sinon, Aimy Tien, Mia Vivens, Sarah Beckette (u/s), and Elena Feliz (u/s)
Photos by Ania Sodziak
Future Present: Maholy-Nagy
Experience Design for After Dark at the Art Institute, October 2016 with Collaboraction

Directed by Erica Vannon
Costume and Makeup Design by Zach Wagner
Performers: Johnny Kyle Cook, Tyshaun Lang, Jasmyn Leapheart, Nelia Miller, Carolyn Sinon, and Adam Velma
Hotel
by Caryl Churchill
A Workshop  Directed by Erica Vannon
Music by Joshua Dumas
Assistant Directed by Genevieve Lally

With: Carolyn Sinon, Lindsey Charles, Johnny Kyle Cook, Justin Harner, Todd Frugia, Marsha Harman, Marrakesh Frugia, Lynnette Li, Avi Roque, Melissa McNamara
Photos by AngieStar Photography
Spanx You Very Much
Created by Dani Bryant
Directed by Erica Vannon
Choreography by Sheena Laird
Co-Choreography by Avi Roque, Mia Vivens, and Jasmyn Leapheart
Music Design by Bries Vannon

Spanx You Very Much was part of the LIFE program in the 15th and Final Sketchbook Festival at Collaboration
at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division, Chicago, IL

Starring: Lindsey Charles, Alexis Randolph, Ali McLaughlin, Ashley Agbay, Briana Majus, Carolyn Minor, Chacora Abrams, Deanalis Resto, Elizabeth Hope Williams, Genevieve Lally-Knuth, Hannah Phelps Proctor, Jasmyn Leapheart, Katya Schexnaydre, Lexi Saunders, Libby Conkle, Mia Vivens, Nelia Miller, Tara Bouldrey, Avi Roque, Ana Martinez, Ania Greiner, Claudia Iao, Danielle Holtz, Eileen Tull, Erin Fox, Jenna Jo Pawlicki, Jennifer Cox, Jessica Kubiak, Katie Call, Sarah Beckette, Laurie Viets, Maggie Wagner, Morgan Manasa, Kimberly Logan, Kristen Metcalfe, Richla Davis, Ali Shields, Bailey Murphy, Gaby Labotka, Jessica Ervin
All in the Timing by David Ives, Shimer College, Fall 2015
Directed by Erica Vannon

Actors: Dan Seaver, Jabu Mickle-Molefe, Ryan Javery, Colin Monahan, Abby MacLachlan, Katya Schexnaydre

Photos by AngieStar Photography
Persephone, by Genevieve Lally-Knuth, 8th Annual Art of Adaptation Festival at City Lit Theatre, 2015
Directed by Erica Vannon
Choreography by Sheena Laird
Original Music by Joshua Dumas

Genevieve Lally-Knuth's 'Persephone' tells the story of the famous Greek myth through the perspective of three aspects of the title character’s personality; the innocent, the rebel, and the queen. Persephone is a highly stylized and fluidly choreographed story exploring love, sex, fear, entrapment, and hope in the relationship between Persephone and Hades. Josh Dumas' hauntingly textured score underscores the play.

Persephone was the winner of this year's City Lit 8th Annual Art of Adaptation Festival!

Actresses: Genevieve Lally-Knuth, Carolyn Sinon, Tiffany Williams
Photos by Todd Frugia
One Minute Play Festival, The Den Theatre, 2015
Directed by Erica Vannon
Plays by: Brooke Allen, Dani Bryant, Reeny Hofrichter, Rachel Jackson, Francesca Peppiatt, Jana Ross, Leean Kim Torske, Julia Weiss

Actors: Brandon Boler, Lindsey Charles, Justin Harner, Sarah Patin, Lynnette Li, Roz Rodgers, Carolyn Sinon, Sergio Soltero
Photos by Lexi Saunders
Antigonick (Sophokles), Freely Translated by Anne Carson, Shimer College, Spring 2015
Directed by Erica Vannon
Music by Mark Surya

Starring: Mey Lee, Jo Becker, August Lysy, Ryan Javery, Katya Schexnaydre, Jabu Mickle-Molefe, Arlo Johnson, Robert Bedea, Abby MacLachlan              
Photos by AngieStar Photography
The Bald Soprano by Eugene Ionesco, Shimer College, 2014
Directed by Erica Vannon
Asst. Director Arlo Johnson
Sound Design by Mark Surya

Starring: John Arnold, Jabu Mickle-Molefe, Mey Lee, Katya Schexnaydre, Arlo Johnson, August Lysy

Photos by Rayme Silverberg
Lost Geneva Project's 'The Penelopiad' by Margaret Atwood
The Poetry Foundation, February 2015
Rhino Fest, January 2015
Chicago Fringe Fest, August 2014

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood tells the story of Penelope, the dutiful wife of wily Odysseus, as she reflects on her life and the events of The Odyssey from beyond the grave. Throughout Penelope's rumination, the spirits of her 12 maids who were put to death upon Odysseus's return interrupt her lengthy monologue with interstitial choral performances and cheeky observations on her version of the story.

Performed by:
Mary Jo Bolduc, Brittany Ellis, Grayson Heyl, Jabu Mickle-Molefe, Sheena Laird, Danielle Trudeau, Tamara White, Katya Schexnaydre, Carolyn Sinon, Meredith Montgomery, Genevieve Lally-Knuth, Mia Vivens, Jess London Shields, Elizabeth Bagby, Nelia Miller, Lynnette Li, Lisa Siciliano, Avery Glassman, and Jackie Davies

Directed by Erica Vannon
Movement Created by Erica Vannon, Sheena Laird, and Ensemble
Music Composed by Joshua Dumas
Assistant Directed by Lexi Saunders
Costume Designer Carla Hamilton
Masks by Sarah Coleman
Dramaturgy by Sarah Sapperstein

Click here for more photos and information regarding the making of The Penelopiad!
All photos by AngieStar Photography
One Minute Play Festival, Victory Gardens, 2014
Directed by: Erica Vannon
Plays by: Brooke Allen, Dani Bryant, Kate Healy, Reeny Hofrichter, Jenny Lamb, Rachel Caris Love,
Fawzia Mirza, Francesca Peppiatt, Mallory Primm, Tanise Robnett

Actors: Sarah Beckette, Brandon Boler, Lindsey Charles, Chloe Day, Havalah Grace, Josh Hambrock, Justin Harner, Sheena Laird, Lynnette Li
I Start Again, An Evening of Dramaticule: Short Plays by Samuel Beckett, Shimer College, 2014
Directed by Erica Barnes

Act Without Words 2
Come and Go
What Where
Ghost Trio

Plays Directed by Erica Vannon
Ghost Trio Directed by Arlo Johnson
Original Music and Music Direction by Mark Surya

Starring:
August Lysy, Katya Schexnaydre, Mey Lee, Lynne Lee, Jo Becker, Jabu Mickle-Molefe, Arlo Johnson, and Mark Surya
No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre, Shimer College, 2013
Directed by Erica Vannon

Starring:
August Lysy, Katya Schexnaydre, Mey Lee, Mark Surya, Jo Becker, Lynne Lee, John Arnold
Film Direction by Arlo Johnson and Stage Manager/Production Manager for Film: Jabu Mickle-Molefe
All photos by Jeremy Handrup
Mythologies, Hamiln Park Fieldhouse, 2012
A Poem by David Lehman
Directed for Performance by Erica Barnes

We need new myths. Our old heroes are too unattainable, too perfect, too… heroic. David Lehman’s poem ‘Mythologies’ tells the wandering story of a man struggling to construct new myths in the wake of the disintegration of his and other people's expectations. Blending the language of poetry with the ritual of theatre, Erica Barnes' visual interpretation of the poem steadily washed both language and image over the audience, flowing from one sequence to the next, effortlessly, as if, in a dream.

Starring:
Todd Frugia, Marrakesh Frugia, Justin Harner, Melissa McNamara, Chad Duda, Tyshaun Lang, Havalah Grace
Dramaturgy by Ariel Trocino and Laura Nessler, Art Direction by Taylor Bibat, Stage Managed by Michelle Roth, Lighting by Christine Grodecki
mythologieschicago.wordpress.com

“Mythologies” was presented by permission of David Lehman, c/o Writers Representatives, LLC (www.writersreps.com), all rights reserved.
This project was supported by a Community Arts Assistance Program grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
This program was part of The Chicago Moving Company Performance Project.  The Chicago Moving Company is in residence at Hamlin Park, through the Chicago Park District’s Arts Partners in Residence Program, which unites artists and communities in Chicago’s parks.
All photos by Lauren Sudbrink
The Last Meal Man, Knife & Fork, 2012
Collaboraction Sketchbook 11
Co-Directed and Devised by Erica Barnes and Dani Bryant

"...One of the festival's highlights—is Last Meal Man by Dani Bryant/Erica Barnes. Building on the actual last-meal requests of five well-known convicts, Bryant depicts a kind of last supper of the damned, with diners ranging from Gary Gilmore, the subject of Norman Mailer's The Executioner's Song (he asked for whiskey), to Troy Anthony Davis, the prisoner who was killed by the state of Georgia last year despite questions about testimony in his case (he declined a meal). Bryant writes with compassion and demonstrates a keen eye for the telling detail. She capitalizes on the ritualistic aspect of mealtime and the power certain foods have to transport us back to childhood, recognizing, for instance, the heart-piercing poignancy in a desire to leave this world with a bellyful of Dr. Pepper and German chocolate cake." Zac Thomson (Chicago Reader)

Starring: 
Torey Adkins, Brandon Boler, Jason Economus, Jose Tony Garcia, Sarah Rose Graber, Dani Bryant 
Disgrace by John O'Keefe, Blank Line Collective, 2010
Directed by Erica Barnes

"Three women try to escape a mysterious shared trauma in John O'Keefe's surreal 1989 play, staged here with savvy and grit by Blank Line Collective. Director Erica Barnes captures this mood piece's flight from consensual reality by inverting the theater-in-the-round format: audience members sit huddled in the center of an unfinished Pilsen loft space while the action whirls around them. Long affiliated with San Francisco's Magic Theatre, O'Keefe wrote Disgrace to be performed on a conventional stage, but Barnes's format suits the story's sense of perpetual, ungrounded motion. As the three women, Stephanie Brown, Amanda Lucas, and Melanie Renae carve moments of clarity from the confusion. They display the subtle range needed to match O'Keefe's lyric command of language." --Keith Griffith, The Chicago Reader

Starring:
Stephanie Brown, Amanda Lucas, and Melanie Renae